Sound of Music - Danube River Cruise and Land Tour

Germany - Austria - Hungary

May 18 - 30, 2005

Itinerary

 

May 18, 2005 (Wednesday):

Flight on Air France Airlines from Atlanta to Munich, Germany

 

          Atlanta to Charles deGaulle Airport (Paris, France)

          AF 301     Departs 6:10 p.m.        Arrives 6:30 a.m.

          Charles deGaulle Airport to Munich, Germany

          AF 1522    Departs 7:45 a.m.        Arrives 9:20 a.m.

 

May 19, 2005 (Thursday):    Bavaria, Castle Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau

*   Arrive in Munich, Germany

*   1-2 hour drive to Hohenschwangau in the heart of Bavaria.  This little village lies between two royal castles, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.

*   Lunch at Restaurant Muller, a typical Bavarian hotel/restaurant located in the village of Hohenschwangau.  This restaurant has a glorious view of Castle Neuschwanstein.

*   Bus ride up to Marien Bridge for a “one of a kind” photo opportunities of Neuschwanstein Castle.

*   Tour of Neuschwanstein Castle, a product of the imagination of King Ludwig II, the “Mad King of Bavaria.”  With its countless towers and light limestone merlons, it is a fairytale castle come true.

*   Horse-drawn open carriage ride from the castle down the mountain to our waiting motorcoach.

*   Transfer to Oberammergau, the small town internationally renowned for its “Passion Play,” which is performed only once every 10 years.  The next performance is 2010.

*   Dinner and overnight at Hotel Wittelsbach located in the heart of Oberammergau.  (Included)

 

May 20, 2005 (Friday):    Alps, Innsbruck, Swarovski Museum, Salzburg

*   Breakfast included at our hotel

*   Little free time this morning for photos and shopping in Oberammergau.  Wood carvings are famous in this area.

*   Our marvelous trip through the Alps begins this morning.  Travel through the Alps to Innsbruck, Austria, one of the most beautiful towns of its size anywhere in the world.  Much of its charm and fame is due to its unique setting.  To the north, the steep, sheer sides of the Alps rise, literally from the edge of the city, like a shimmering blue and white wall which creates an impressive backdrop for the mellowed green domes and red roofs of the Baroque town tucked below.

*   Lunch in Innsbruck at Romantic Restaurant Goldener Adler. This hotel/restaurant serving Tyrolean specialties, is located in the heart of Old Town.  This is one of the city’s most historically significant hotels, dating back to the 16th century, making it one of the oldest inns in Europe.  It has erected a marble plaque near the entrance enumerating its many famous guests as Emperor Joseph II, Goethe, Mozart, and Paganini among others.

*   Little free time to make pictures

*   Tour of Swarovski Crystal Museum, a fantasy world created by multimedia artist, Andrew Heller and opened in 1995.  This wonder kingdom is dedicated to the vision of Daniel Swarovski, founder of the world’s leading producer of full crystal.  You will enter a giant head with its glittering eyes and waterfall.  You will immediately see a long wall of crystal with 12 tons of the finest cut stones in the world.  In other chambers, you can wander into the “Planet of Crystals,” with a 3D light show.  Crystalline works of art on display were designed by everybody from Andy Warhol to Salvador Dali.  In the Crystal Dome, you get an idea of what its like being inside a giant crystal, and in the Crystal Theater, a fairytale world of color, mystery, and graceful movement unfolds.

*   Transfer on through the Alps to Salzburg

*   Late afternoon tour of “Old Town” in Salzburg, the birthplace of the great composer, Mozart and the setting for the film, The Sound of Music.  You will marvel at the beautiful baroque buildings and enchanting cobblestone streets.  It is definitely a city of music set within a time of its own.

*   Check in to the beautiful Hotel Sacher located on the river Salzach with a commanding view of Old Town across the bridge.  This hotel is home to the famous Sacher Torte.  You will get a taste on your pillow at “turn down.”

*   Dinner included at our hotel.

 

May 21, 2005 (Saturday):   Salzburg, Berchesgaten, Salt Mines, Eagles Nest,                                                    Mozart Dinner Concert

*   Breakfast included at our hotel

*   Travel to Berchesgaten, an alpine town enclosed on 3 sides by the glorious Alps.  Berchtesgaden was chosen as a holiday retreat by Adolph Hitler.

*   The Salt Mines Tour - In miner’s overalls, you venture through the famous salt mines.  The adventure includes a trip through the galleries in a small train, and the crossing by raft of an illuminated underground lake.  A highlight is the opportunity to take slides from level to level.  Three to four people go at a time together.  There is no need to worry, the slides are slow.  If you prefer, steps are also available.

*   Lunch on your own in Berchesgaten

*   Eaglesnest (weather permitting) - This was Hitler’s “get-away” located on the craggy mountain peak of the Kehlstein.  It was given to him on his 50th birthday.  This site was also made famous in the James Bond movie, “In His Majesty’s Service.”

*   Travel back to Salzburg

*   Late afternoon free for walking and shopping in Salzburg

*   Historic Mozart Dinner Concert in the Baroque hall in Stiftskeller St. Peter restaurant,  the oldest restaurant in Europe dating back to the year 803!  Enjoy the most popular compositions by W. A. Mozart by candlelight with music played by Salzburg artists in historic costumes and a multiple-course dinner prepared according to traditional recipes from the 17th and 18th centuries.

*   Overnight at Hotel Sacher

 

May 22, 2005 (Sunday):    Lake Chiemsee, Herrenchiemsee Castle, Nuremburg

*   Breakfast included at our hotel

*   Travel to Lake Chiemsee for a boat ride out to the island where Herrenchiemsee Castle stands, an extraordinary palace built by Ludwig II.  Its inspiration came from the Palace of Versailles in Paris and it even has its own “Hall of Mirrors.”

*   Tour of Herrenchiemsee Castle

*   Lunch included at the castle

*   Transfer to Nuremburg

*   Check in on the Viking Pride, our river cruise ship.  Settle in and unpack.

*   Dinner included on our ship tonight

 

Note: For the next 7 days and nights, all our meals will be included on our ship.

 

May 23, 2005 (Monday):     Nuremburg and Main-Danube Canal

*   Breakfast included on our ship

*   Coach and walking tour of Nuremburg, an historical town characterized by Gothic churches and elegant half-timbered houses.  Its protective walls feature ancient moats, tall watchtowers and gand gateways.  Its historical significance can be traced to the past World War II Nazi trials.  You may recall the 1961 film, Judgment at Nuremburg, with Spencer Tracy and Burt Lancaster.

*   Lunch included on our ship

*   In the afternoon we sail through the Main-Danube Canal which enabled river travel from the North Sea to the Black Sea.  It was initiated by Charlemagne in 793 and contains 16 locks rising to 1332 feet.  It was completed in 1992.

*   Dinner included on our ship

 

May 24, 2005 (Tuesday):      Kelheim and Regensburg

*   Breakfast included on our ship

*   Visit to Kelheim, at the southernmost point of the Main-Danube Canal.  We will tour the Weltenburg Abbey, which echoes with Georgian chants and houses the monks’ historical brewery of dark ale since 1050.

*   Embark on a ferry boat ride through the dramatic scenery of the Danube Gorge, with 400 foot cliffs, it is the river’s steepest, narrowest area.

*   Lunch included on our ship

*   Visit to Regensburg, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities.  We will see the 12th century Old Stone Bridge and St. Peter’s Cathedral with its magnificent collection of chalices and crosses.

*   Free time.

*   Dinner included on our ship

*   Free time tonight after dinner to enjoy Regensburg

 

May 25, 2005 (Wednesday):           Passau, Organ Concert

*   Breakfast included on our ship

*   Walking tour of enchanting Passau with its charming cobblestone streets and graceful arcades.  Founded by the Celts more than 2,000 years ago, it is one of Bavaria’s oldest cities.

*   Special organ concert in the impressive St. Stephen’s Cathedral which is home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes.

*   Lunch included on our ship

*   Free time

*   Dinner included on our ship

 

May 26, 2005 (Thursday):         Melk and Vienna

*   Breakfast included on the ship

*   Visit to picturesque Melk located amidst Austria’s famed win-growing region.  Tour the imposing 900-year-old Benedictine abbey which dominates the city from its hilltop location.  It displays wonderful frescoes and a collection of medieval manuscripts.

*   Free time

*   Lunch included on our ship

*   Afternoon sailing to Vienna

*   Dinner included on our ship

*   Port in to Vienna this evening

*   Free time after dinner to enjoy Vienna

*   Overnight in port in Vienna

 

May 27, 2005 (Friday):          Vienna

*   Breakfast included on our ship

*   Coach and walking tour of Vienna, Austria’s elegant imperial capital, rich in history and culture.  Its landmarks, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace, are surrounded by lush parks, stylish shops and sidewalk cafes.  Vienna, nicknamed “City of Waltzes,” is where Beethoven and Strauss composed many of their finest waltzes.

*   Lunch included on our ship

*   Afternoon tour of Schonbrunn Palace, home to Maria Theresa and residence of the Habsburgs.  In Schonbrunn, you step back three hundred years into the heart of a powerful and growing empire.  The glories of Imperial Austria are nowhere brought together more convincingly than in this palace.  You will marvel at the beauty of its grounds and the majesty of its interior.

*   Dinner included on our ship

*   Sail for Budapest following dinner

 

May 28, 2005 (Saturday):     Budapest

*   Breakfast included on our ship

*   Coach and walking tour of Budapest.  Your tour of Hungary’s intriguing capital highlights Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church with its graceful spire.  You also see the famous and amazing Chain Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge, two of he many that connect the traditional Buda with the modern Pest.  You will definitely feel as if you have been removed to another era in time.

*   Lunch included on our ship

*   Afternoon free to explore the fascinating narrow little streets, shop for those unique gifts, or perhaps enjoy an afternoon at the ancient thermal baths in the Gellert Hotel.

*   Dinner included on our ship

*   Evening free to enjoy Budapest at night

 

May 29, 2005 (Sunday):           Szentendre and Budapest

*   Breakfast included on our ship

*   Disembarkation

*   Transfer to the fascinating town to Szentendre to let you enjoy a gorgeous little town outside Budapest.  Since the early 1900's, Szentendre has been home to an artists’ colony.  Today, about 100 artists live and work here.  As a result, the town has a wealth of museums and galleries to enjoy.  Wander through the cobblestone side streets that lead to a roman Catholic church yard at the top of the hill, with lovely views of the red-tile rooftops.  Explore all you wish, for Szentendre is too small for you to get lost in and too beautiful for a less-than-thorough exploration.

*   Lunch on your own in Szentendre

*   Return to Budapest and check in to the Hilton Hotel located in the elegant Castle District.  Its location is spectacular!  The hotel’s award-winning design incorporates both the ruins of a 13th century Dominican church and the baroque facade of a 17th century Jesuit college.  Here you will experience some fantastic views over the Danube River.

*   Free time this afternoon to explore Castle Hill on your own

*   Dinner tonight at Kiraly Restaurant where you will enjoy traditional Hungarian dishes as well as gypsy music and excerpts from various operettas.  (Included)

*   Overnight at the Hilton Hotel

 

May 30, 2005 (Monday):      Flight Home

*   Breakfast included at our hotel

*   Transfer from our hotel to the airport

*   Air France flight home:    Budapest to Paris to Atlanta

         

          Budapest to Charles deGaulle Airport (Paris)

          AF 1695     Departs 12:50 p.m.         Arrives   3:10 p.m.

         

          Charles deGaulle to Atlanta

          AF 304       Departs 3:55 p.m.           Arrives   7:20 p.m.

 

****   This trip is going to be a glorious experience!  We do hope you will join us. 

If you have any questions, please call us at 770-834-4645.

 

Most sincerely,

Leland and Gherry